A Level English Literature

A Level English Literature encourages you to develop your interest and enjoyment in literary studies through reading widely, independently and critically. You should develop as a confident, independent and reflective reader of a range of texts. A Level English Literature also allows you to explore comparisons and connections between texts and appreciate the significance of cultural and historical influences upon readers and writers.
 
AS Course
 
Unit AS 1: The Study of Drama (coursework)
 
Section A The Study of Shakespeare
You will produce a detailed textual study of one Shakespeare play. You will be expected to display critical understanding of the ways in which Shakespeare’s dramatic methods shape meaning. You will explore the ways in which Shakespeare’s drama is determined by the social and historical context in which it was written.
 
Section B The Study of a Twentieth Century Dramatist
You will produce a personally informed response to a writer whose work has impacted significantly on the dramatic genre during the twentieth century.
 
Unit AS 2: The Study of Poetry Written after 1800 and The Study of Prose 1800–1945 (exam)
 
Section A The Study of Poetry Written after 1800
You have the opportunity to compare and contrast two poets you have studied. You will respond to a question requiring analysis of poetic methods such as form, structure, language and tone.
 
Section B The Study of Prose 1800–1945
You will write about a prose text in response to a stimulus statement which expresses a particular interpretation. You will be required to show contextual understanding.
 
A2 Course
 
Unit A2 1: The Study of Poetry – 1300–1800 and Drama (exam)
 
Section A The Study of Poetry from 1300–1800
You will respond to a question requiring analysis of form, structure, language and tone. You will show understanding of social, cultural and historical context. 
 
Section B Drama
You will display your knowledge and understanding of two drama texts in response to a stimulus statement which expresses a particular reading of the plays.You will compare and contrast the plays, and you will consider dramatic methods and contextual factors.  
 
Unit A2 2: The Study of Prose – theme based (exam)
 
You will study novels on a chosen theme such as childhood, women and society, or the outsider
 
Section A: Close analysis of an extract from a post-1990 novel
 
Question 1 requires you to analyse and evaluate a given extract from the novel chosen for study.
 
Section B: Comparison of two novels on the same theme as that chosen for Section A
You will compare and contrast two novels, and you will consider writers’ methods and contextual factors.

How is the subject assessed?

Unit AS 1:  Coursework (40% of AS)
 
Unit AS 2:  2 hour external examination (60% of AS)
 
Unit A2 1:  2 hour external examination (50% of A2, 25% of A Level)
 
Unit A2 2:  2 hour external examination (50% of A2, 25% of A Level)